Guides by Daisy Goddard

Life in the workhouse was brutal. Conditions were cramped and unsanitary, food was scarce, and the labour was back-breaking. Poor law records can reveal these harrowing stories of hardship and survival.

Whether it's the looping secretary hand of a 17th-century parish clerk or the faded ink of a will, deciphering the writing in old documents is an essential skill for family history researchers. Here's how to understand original records in their entirety.

Along with marriage and death dates, birth dates are essential information for tracing your family tree back through the generations. Here's how to use online family history records and tools to discover when a person was born.

Whether for the birth of a child or while being treated for a serious illness, many of our ancestors spent time in hospitals in years gone by. Understand their experiences as well as the wider context of healthcare in the period with old hospital records.

Family history records are invaluable, but they are not infallible. Don't let errors and inconsistencies throw your research off track - here's what to look out for when using genealogy records to trace your family tree back through the generations.

Although popular surnames may make tracing Welsh ancestors a little more challenging, with the right records and tools, you can uncover the fascinating stories that bring your Welsh ancestry to life.

Migration has played a transformative role within many of our family stories. Whether your relatives were chasing opportunity, escaping hardship or pursuing love, here’s how to understand their experiences by searching passenger list records online.

When an ancestor passed away, their death left traces that survive to the present day, in the form of legal records, tributes and memorials. Explore genealogy records and old newspapers to gain a poignant insight into how your relative was remembered.

Obituaries reveal personal stories, connections and legacies, offering us a moving glimpse into how our ancestors were remembered by those who loved them.

Perhaps there are whispers of nobility in your lineage, or a story passed down about an ancestor who moved in lofty circles. Discovering royal blood is more possible than you might think. With centuries of monarchs, countless illegitimate lines, and sprawling family connections, millions of people today may share an ancestor with kings and queens. The key is knowing where to look.